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THE NAT IONAL POTATO LEVY AT WORK
This communication has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and
development Fresh Potato Levy and funds from the Australian Government. Project Number: PT15007
The levy is paid by growers who produce and sell either fresh or
processing potatoes in Australia.
• The charge is set at 50 cents per tonne for fresh and processing
potatoes and must be paid by the producer of fresh potatoes or
the owner of processing potatoes.
The Federal Government also provides funding in addition to
grower levy payments. Once paid, these funds are managed by
Horticulture Innovation Australia.
WHO PAYS THE NATIONAL POTATO LEVY?
HOW IS LEVY MONEY INVESTED?
HOW CAN GROWERS GET INVOLVED?
Potato growers play a fundamental role in advising on the allocation of both levy and co-investment funds,
and will be engaged in extensive consultation with Hort Innovation in regional grower meetings, industry-specific
consultation programs and individual grower and grower group consultation. Growers can also submit ideas for
R&D projects via Hort Innovation’s Concept Portal at
For more information about the National Potato Levies, visit
There are now two pools with different funding priorities.
Pool 1 is funded by grower levies with contributions from the
Federal Government. This pool has a one to five year scope
and will invest in applied R&D designed to directly benefit
growers. This includes pest and disease management and
biosecurity matters, with findings communicated through a
variety of channels including Potatoes Australia.
Pool 2 has a one to 15 year scope and matches strategic
co-investment funds with at least $20 million, at the Pool’s
maturity, of government seed funds annually. This pool aims
to address multi- and cross-industry challenges and
opportunities of strategic and long-term importance to
Australia’s horticulture industries.
Six ‘Foundation Funds’ have so far been established in Pool 2 and
will work with an expert panel to direct strategic projects.
They are:
• The Leadership and People Development Fund
• The Fruit Fly Fund
• The Asian Markets Fund
• The Green Cities Fund
• The Health, Nutrition and Food Safety Fund
• Pollination Fund
POOL 1
1-5 Year scope
Hort Innovation Advisory Mechanism
& Procurement Process
Government investment
R&D Service Provider
Benefits
Grower
Levy funds
POOL 2
1-15 Year scope
Australian horticulture
Contributed funds
Industry consultation
Government investment
R&D Service Provider
Benefits
Hort Connections 2017 will bring the entire fresh produce industry together for three days of networking,
education and business opportunities. Several world-class speakers will headline the conference, which will
be held from 15-17 May at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
HORT CONNECT IONS 2 017 :
SPEAKER LINE-UP ANNOUNCED
All signs are pointing towards Hort Connections 2017 being
the biggest and best conference in Australian horticulture,
delivering the freshest insights and tools for delegates to grow
their businesses.
AUSVEG and the Produce Marketing Association Australia-New
Zealand (PMA A-NZ) are extremely excited to launch this event, to
be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 15-17 May.
Hort Connections 2017 will also be co-hosted by horticulture
industry bodies including Nursery and Garden Industry Australia,
Australian Organic, Onions Australia, Irrigation Australia, Growcom
and Potatoes South Australia.
Fresh Markets Australia and the Central Markets Association of
Australia have been named official Trade Show sponsors as well as
co-hosts, while NAB has joined as an Agribusiness Partner.
The inclusion of these industry co-hosts ensures there is
something for everyone, while an expansive Trade Show will cater
for growers and whole-of-supply-chain companies alike.
SPEAKER SESSIONS
Meanwhile, conference speakers have been carefully selected
to cover the most topical issues in the industry, from technology
to marketing, global development, the power of data and a session
on the Harmonised Australian Retailer Produce Scheme (HARPS).
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources,
Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston, will provide an insight into the
Federal Government’s priorities for Australian horticulture in
the coming months.
Other keynote speakers include Tennis Australia Director
of Customer Relations Jaquie Scammell, who will discuss the
significance of people and culture. beyondblue Chairman and
former Victorian Premier The Hon. Jeff Kennett AC will headline
a mental health forum, while Monash University’s ACRS Managing
Director Sean Sands will discuss the opportunities to maximise
value by designing customer-facing innovations that resonate.
Bega Cheese Executive Chairman Barry Irvin will also be
one of the key speakers at Hort Connections. Mr Irvin has led
the team that has built the Bega Cheese business, through
acquisition and organic growth, and then cemented a number
of long-term key business relationships.
Delegates will also hear from Lone Jespersen from Maple Leaf
Foods who will be discussing the importance of developing
a food safety culture, while former MasterChef runner-up
and Sprout owner and co-founder Callum Hann will share
his culinary experiences and offer a valuable insight into
the industry.
A range of dedicated speaker streams will run concurrently
throughout the event and will be dedicated to marketing,
irrigation, vegetables and Horticulture Innovation Australia.
WOMEN IN HORTICULTURE
The ever-popular Women in Horticulture event is open to all
delegates and provides a chance to acknowledge and celebrate
the integral role that women play in the industry. The event will be
held at the InterContinental Adelaide on Wednesday 17 May from
2:00pm to 4:30pm.
Speakers include Senator Ruston, The Ideas Catalyst founder
Susie White who will discuss new product and packaging
innovations and ABC presenter Tonya Roberts, who will emcee
the event. Celebrity chef Geoff Jansz will perform a cooking
demonstration with local produce while Horticulture Innovation
Australia Relationship Manager Christian Patterson will discuss
recent levy-funded projects. The event will conclude with the
announcement of the 2017 Women in Horticulture award winner.
ROOF CLIMB FOR YOUNG GROWERS
Returning again in 2017 is another highlight on the social program,
the NextGen Young Grower event. Open to full delegates under
the age of 35, this year’s event will get your adrenaline pumping
with an Adelaide Oval roof climb on Wednesday afternoon. Places
are strictly limited, so register now to avoid disappointment.
The annual Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner will provide the
perfect close to the event, celebrating the achievements of leading
growers in the horticulture industry.
For more information or to register for Hort Connections 2017, please visit
INFO